Afghanistan is a nation tortured by history, but the core feeling in "The Kite Runner" is heartburning love of the place, its proud people and dusty, rugged beauty.
'THE KITE RUNNER' - Hassan (Ahmad Khan Mahmouodzada) and Amir (Zekiria Ebrahmi) have no idea that their kite of dreams will be blown apart by Afghan history in the reality movie 'The Kite Runner.' CNS Photo courtesy of DreamWorks Pictures.
RATINGS
4 STARS - Excellent.
3 STARS - ... [full story]

NEW RELEASES
I AM LEGEND - In the near future, a viral plague not only will exterminate humanity and spawn a race of flesh-eating mutants, but - the horror - drive gas prices to $6.63 a gallon. Fortunately, that's of zero concern to Robert Neville (Will Smith), who as the last man on Earth enjoys certain perks, free fill-ups among them. Director Francis Lawrence and writers Mark Protosevich and Akiva Goldsman have taken Richard Matheson's ... [full story]

Every once in a while, a movie comes along that is so good, so refreshingly real and so honest and entertaining that it gets you through all those contrived studio products and reminds you why you pay those ridiculous prices at the ticket booth.
"Once" (Fox, 4 stars) is exactly one of those movies.
'ONCE' - 'Once' is a touching indie musical starring Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova. CNS Photo courtesy of Fox Searchlight.
DVD RATINGS ... [full story]

Not even at Hugh Hefner's mansion has a grown man been awakened in bed and told by a chipmunk, "I had a nightmare. Can I sleep with you?"
'ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS' - The omnivorous Theodore prepares to dive into his favorite - waffles and whipped cream - in the family comedy 'Alvin and the Chipmunks.' CNS Photo courtesy of Rhythm & Hues.
RATINGS
4 STARS - Excellent.
3 STARS - Worthy.
2 STARS - Mixed. ... [full story]

Jason Bourne's life and death is inextricably tied to water. He is originally fished out of it, unconscious and not knowing his own identity. He is nearly drowned as part of his CIA training. He watches as the love of his life floats away beneath a river. And in the third film, "The Bourne Ultimatum" (Universal, 4 stars), well, let's just say Jason Bourne (Matt Damon) dies and is reborn in the Hudson River.
'THE ... [full story]

There may be box-office gold from "The Golden Compass," but panning for it while viewing is a real day at the mine.
It stars beautifully named Dakota Blue Richards as beautifully named Lyra Belacqua, niece (maybe more) to lofty Lord Asriel, one of the big men at Oxford U. Daniel Craig plays him, but is seldom seen. Fantabulous forces infiltrate this world and a parallel universe.
'THE GOLDEN COMPASS' - Mrs. Coulter (Nicole Kidman) has ... [full story]

"Atonement" has the glow of a film doing major literary beautification, the Serious Quality patina of movies that come at year's end to woo Oscar. They make you fret: Is it really that good, and will it last?
'ATONEMENT' - Keira Knightley and James McAvoy star in the adult drama 'Atonement,' based on the best-selling novel by Ian McEwan. CNS Photo courtesy of Alex Bailey.
RATINGS
4 STARS - Excellent.
3 STARS - Worthy.
2 STARS ... [full story]

Written and directed by a man, Noah Baumbach, "Margot at the Wedding" might rank as the "chick flick" of the year if it had more good scenes for Nicole Kidman and Jennifer Jason Leigh.
'MARGOT AT THE WEDDING' - Laughing it up despite a lot of hard times, rivalrous sisters Margot (Nicole Kidman, left) and Pauline (Jennifer Jason Leigh) power 'Margot at the Wedding.' CNS Photo courtesy of Ken Regan.
RATINGS
4 STARS - Excellent.
3 ... [full story]

Well, the blockbuster "Pirates of the Caribbean" trilogy has come to a fitting conclusion with "At World's End" (Disney, 3 stars), and not a moment too soon. I'm afraid that if they come up with a surprise fourth episode, it will be "Pirates in Space" or "Jack Sparrow's Prance Through the Fifth Dimension." (Actually, if you sit through the credits, your patience will be rewarded with a glimpse into the future, say, 10 years on.) ... [full story]